IJAR.2017.399
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 5; Issue 4.2 (November 2017)
Page No.: 4575-4580
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2017.399
POSTICUS PONTICUS: ITS INCIDENCE AND DIMENSIONS IN NORTH INDIAN POPULATION
Gultaj Paul 1, Rajan Kumar Singla 2, Harsimarjit Kaur 3, Harsimran Grewal 4.
*1 Senior resident, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India.
2 Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India.
4 Senior Resident, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India.
Address for Correspondence: Dr. Gultaj Paul , Senior Resident, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab -147001, India. E-Mail: gultaj_paul@yahoo.co.in
ABSTRACT
Background: Atlas the first cervical vertebra, shows great morphological variations. Frequently bony spurs arise from the anterior and posterior margin margins of the groove for vertebral artery and sometimes convert the groove into a foramen termed as Posticus Ponticus or arcuate foramen or retroarticular foramen. This type of foramen is reported by different workers to be present in 2.25% to 45.9% of the population depending upon the age, gender, side and race.
Aim: to find out the incidence and type of Retroarticular foramina, their relation with side and their different diameter and cross sectional area.
Materials and Method: the present study was conducted on 40 complete (80 sides) undamaged dry human atlas vertebra of unknown age and gender obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab.
Results: complete foramen was found bilaterally in one vertebra (2.5%) and unilaterally on left side in 2(5%) & on right side in 1 (2.5%) vertebra. Thus it was more on the left side as far as side is concerned. If taken unilaterally in toto, out of 80 sides of 40 vertebra it was seen in 5 (6.25%) sides. However partial bridging or incomplete foramen was seen bilaterally in 33 (82.5%) and on right side only in 2 (5%) & on left side only in 1 (2.5%) vertebra.
Conclusion: neurologists, neurosurgeons and medical community in general should have knowledge about the variation and try to look for it when dealing with patients complaining of symptoms of vertebro-basilar insufficiency like headache, vertigo, shoulder and arm pain.
Key words: Arcuate foramen, Retroarticular foramen, Vertebro-basilar insufficiency.
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